FNBO Direct vs ING Direct – Reader Compares Online Savings Accounts

November 29, 2008

FNBO Direct online savings account higher interest rates and customer service are two of the reasons a reader is pleased with his high yield savings account.

FNBO Direct vs ING Direct

The main complaint I hear about FNBO Direct is that it’s user interface is a little behind the other online savings accounts available in terms of functionality. The reader seems to agree with this sentiment, preferring the ING Direct web site but he isn’t as pleased with their interest rates. I agree the interface isn’t as flashy but the FNBO Direct interest rates and customer service
are better.

I was glad to hear that I had introduced him to other options in terms of an online bank account, as he describes in the email below:

I enjoyed your comments on FNBO Direct. I also have an account with ING Direct. ING is very flashy and has some great features, but thier rates have slipped as well as their ratings. I researched the many online options and was very impressed with FNBO. Kiplingers magazine also picked them as their top choice for an online banker. My experience has been 100% positive.

As a coincidence I was looking for a credit card processing plan for my wifes small business and after checking in to dozens of providers I had already picked the service from FNBO’s parent company First National Bank of Omaha. Great customer service all around. Something that is becoming more of a rarity these days. Thanks again.

J

Sounds as though J has had a similar experience to mine with good customer service, as I discussed in my FNBO Direct Review.

Other Financial Services
Both ING and First National Bank of Omaha offer services other than online savings accounts. As J mentioned, he took advantage of the credit card processing from FNBO, they also offer an online bill pay option.

When it comes to online savings accounts at ING Direct and FNBO Direct, ING Direct has the better website but FNBO Direct offers higher interest rates and from my experience has better customer service.

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I have no personal experiencec with FNBO but will definitely check them out. Website experience is more easily remedied than improving an interest rate, and truly, anyone who has web savvy should be able to figure out how the site works even if it isn’t as “functional”.

In some ways, though, I do feel a little “guilty” for using them just for their better interest rates. Doesn’t that seem a little one sided to anyone else?

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